The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), an NGO has urged Bauchi government to disinfect isolation centres in the state regularly to check the spread of other infectious diseases.

Malam Isah Garba, acting Programme Coordinator of CITAD made the call in a statement issued on Wednesday in Bauchi.

He decried the poor hygienic condition of the isolation centres and stressed the need for the state government to take urgent action in order to prevent spread of other diseases.

“They should as well provide the necessary materials that will prevent other infections to patients in the isolation centres,” he said.

Garba also urged the state government to collaborate with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to get Personal Protection Equipments (PPEs) for health workers in the state.

“The state should do more to enlighten both patients and the general public as even patients are unable to understand why they are being held,” Garba said.

He urged the state government to engage in massive testing and contact tracing in all the local governments areas.

The programme coordinator also emphasised the need for improved relationship between the patients and the health workers in the Isolation Centres.

Garba said that for the total lockdown directive to be effective, there was need for inclusive and transparent palliative distribution.

He commended the government for interfacing with the traders and artisans which led to the reduction of prices of some food stuff in the market.

He, however, said that CITAD was ready to partner the state government and other stakeholders in the fight against the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, Chairman, sub- contact tracing and mobilisation committee of the State COVID-19 Task Force, said that all isolation centres in the state were disinfected regularly.

He said: “The disinfections take place regularly because of the influx of patients and workers.

“We always make sure that disinfection is usually preceded by cleaning of the isolation centres across the state.”

He, however, appreciated the NGO for their concern and gave assurance of constant monitoring of the facilities to ensure optimum hygiene.